Windshield Crack Repair Cost: Parts, Labor & Average Price

A windshield repair fills a chip or crack with a clear resin so the damage stops spreading and the glass stays in the car. It is a quick job, usually done by a glass shop or a mobile technician, and it costs much less than putting in a new windshield. What you pay depends mostly on the type of damage, how long a crack has grown, and the shop you use.

The tables below come from two published guides and carry a check date of Oct 14, 2026. They use different damage categories, so each source is shown on its own rather than blended.

For a chip or a short crack, the sources overlap closely: AAA puts the range at $50 – $150, and AutoInsurance.com gives $50 – $150. AAA splits the work by damage type, with a small chip at $60 – $100 and a crack at $100 – $150.

Length matters. AutoInsurance.com lists cracks up to 1 foot long at $50 – $70, which is lower than AAA's crack figure. The two guides may define "crack repair" differently, so ask a shop what its price covers before you book.

Shops tend to quote repairs by the damage, not by the hour. A single small chip is usually the cheapest job, and the price rises as the damage gets longer or harder to reach. Mobile services may price the same repair differently from a shop with a fixed bay, so compare at least two quotes.

Whether a windshield can be repaired depends on the size and location of the damage. Small chips and short cracks are the usual candidates. Damage in the driver's direct line of sight, damage that reaches the edge of the glass, and long or branching cracks more often call for a new windshield. A glass technician makes that call, and some shops will not repair damage they think could compromise the repair.

Waiting can change the answer. A chip or crack can spread with temperature swings and road vibration, which can turn a repairable job into a replacement. If you plan to repair, do it soon after the damage appears.

Replacement is a different price tier, and the range is wide because glass type, vehicle, and sensors all matter.

AAA gives $250 – $1,500 for a full replacement, while AutoInsurance.com puts most cars at $300 – $500. Vehicles with a camera or sensors mounted at the windshield may need recalibration after the new glass goes in. AAA lists a typical recalibration cost of $360, which can vary by calibration type.

Some auto policies with comprehensive coverage handle glass damage, and some insurers waive the deductible for chip repairs. That varies by company, state, and policy, so check your policy or call your insurer before you pay out of pocket. Replacement more often falls under the regular deductible. If the repair price is close to your deductible, paying the shop directly may be simpler. A licensed insurance agent can tell you how glass claims work on your policy.

The two sources report the same range for a chip or small crack, $50 – $150 from AAA and $50 – $150 from AutoInsurance.com. Prices may still differ at the shop because of:

• Damage type. A bullseye chip, a star break, and a long crack are repaired differently.
• Number of chips. Ask how the shop prices extra chips on the same windshield.
• Vehicle and glass. Special coatings or embedded sensors can change what a shop is willing to repair.
• Location. Labor rates and competition differ across cities and rural areas.
• Mobile or in shop. Convenience can change the price in either direction.

• Does the quoted price include every chip or crack on the glass?
• Is the repair guaranteed, and does the shop cover a crack that spreads later?
• Will the shop bill my insurer directly, and is the deductible waived?
• How long should I wait before washing the car or going through a car wash?

A repair will not make the damage invisible. It restores strength and stops spreading, and a faint mark usually remains.